Proximity detection device, method of detecting proximity and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A proximity detection device includes a display unit which has a display image surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit in which a transparent electrode for proximity operation detection is arranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on the display image surface and a conductive film pattern forming the transparent electrode has a pitch of a linear pattern which is equal to or smaller than an arrangement pitch in one direction of the pixel electrodes.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/740,598, filed Jan. 14, 2013, which application claims priorityto Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2012-040842 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Feb. 28, 2012, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a proximity detection device in whicha proximity operation detecting unit is superposed on a display surface,a method of detecting proximity thereof and an electronic apparatusincluding the proximity detection device.

For example, a so-called display device with a touch sensor in which aproximity detecting unit which detects contact or an approach of afinger, a pen and the like on a screen is provided in the displaysurface such as a liquid display panel has been widely known.

In the specification, terms of “touch” and “proximity” are used and anyof the terms is used for the meanings including both “contact” and“approach”.

In the display device with a touch sensor, while a detection electrodeand a driving electrode are arranged to be superposed on a displayscreen as a transparent electrode for touch detection, the transparentelectrode is not completely transparent so that there has been a demandfor inconspicuousness of a transparent electrode pattern to maintaindisplay image quality.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-138154,technology to improve inconspicuousness of a transparent electrodepattern is disclosed.

In addition, technology which prevents moiré by interference between aprism array and a pixel array to improve display image quality isdisclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2007-264393.

SUMMARY

While the reduction of moiré is demanded in the display device with atouch sensor, contrast patterns (moiré fringes) are generated byinterference between a pixel pitch of the display panel and atransparent electrode pattern pitch for a touch sensor. In particular,when pixels of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) are added to a W (white)pixel in a panel pixel layout, luminance contrast becomes strong by aninfluence of the white pixel that has a tendency to emphasize the moiréfringes.

Further, there is a demand to maintain or improve touch sensorproperties (touch detection sensitivity) and inconspicuousness of thetransparent electrode.

It is desirable to maintain touch sensor properties andinconspicuousness of a transparent electrode, while moiré fringesgenerated due to interference between a panel pixel and a transparentelectrode pattern pitch for a touch sensor are reduced in the presentdisclosure.

According to an embodiment the present disclosure, there is provided aproximity detection device including a display unit which has a displayimage surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in amatrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit in which atransparent electrode for proximity operation detection is arranged toform an operation surface at a position superposed on the display imagesurface and a conductive film pattern forming the transparent electrodehas a pitch of a linear pattern which is equal to or smaller than anarrangement pitch in one direction of the pixel electrodes.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an electronic apparatus including the proximity detectiondevice.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a method of detecting proximity including detecting aproximity operation by using a transparent electrode with a conductivefilm pattern having a pitch of a linear pattern which is equal to orsmaller than an arrangement pitch in one direction of pixel electrodesin a proximity detection device in which the transparent electrode forproximity operation detection is arranged to form an operation surfaceat a position superposed on a display image surface in which a pluralityof the pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a proximity detection device including a display unit whichhas a display image surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes arearranged in a matrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit inwhich a transparent electrode for proximity operation detection isarranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on thedisplay image surface and a spot-like non-conductive portion is formedin a conductive film pattern forming the transparent electrode.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided an electronic apparatus including the proximity detectiondevice.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a method of detecting proximity including detecting aproximity operation by using a transparent electrode with a conductivefilm pattern in which a spot-like non-conductive portion is formed in aproximity detection device in which the transparent electrode forproximity operation detection is arranged to form an operation surfaceat a position superposed on a display image surface in which a pluralityof the pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a proximity detection device including a display unit whichhas a display image surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes arearranged in a matrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit inwhich a transparent electrode for proximity operation detection isarranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on thedisplay image surface and a conductive film pattern forming thetransparent electrode is a pattern of a continuous bending line or wavyline.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided an electronic apparatus including the proximity detectiondevice.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a method of detecting proximity including detecting aproximity operation by using a transparent electrode having a conductivefilm pattern of a continuous bending line or wavy line in a proximitydetection device in which the transparent electrode for proximityoperation detection is arranged to form an operation surface at aposition superposed on a display image surface in which a plurality ofthe pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, as the pitch inthe linear pattern as the conductive film pattern forming thetransparent electrode is narrowed, the spot-like non-conductive portionis formed, or the continuous bending line or wavy line is patterned.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possibleto realize moiré reduction, maintenance or improvement of touchdetection sensitivity and inconspicuousness of a transparent electrodeby narrowing a pitch in a linear pattern as a conductive film patternforming a transparent electrode, forming a spot-like non-conductiveportion or patterning a continuous bending line or wavy line.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustration diagrams of operation of a touch sensorunit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustration diagrams of the operation of the touchsensor unit according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are illustration diagrams of input and output waveformsof the touch sensor unit according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are illustration diagrams of a structure of a liquidcrystal display device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel of the liquid crystaldisplay device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration diagram of a pixel arrangement of the liquidcrystal display device according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are illustration diagrams of a conductive film pattern ofa detection electrode according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustration diagrams of a linear pattern pitch ofthe conductive film in the detection electrode according to the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustration diagrams of the linear pattern pitch ofthe conductive film in the detection electrode according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 is an illustration diagram of a conductive film pattern of adetection electrode according to a second embodiment;

FIGS. 11A to 11C are illustration diagrams of a conductive film patternof a detection electrode according to a third embodiment;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are illustration diagrams of a bending line patternpitch of the conductive film in the detection electrode according to thethird embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an illustration diagram of a conductive film pattern of adetection electrode according to a fourth embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are illustration diagrams of a wavy line pattern pitchof the conductive film in the detection electrode according to thefourth embodiment;

FIGS. 15A to 15C are illustration diagrams of electronic apparatusesaccording to application examples of the embodiment;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are illustration diagrams of an electronic apparatusaccording to an application example of the embodiment; and

FIGS. 17A to 17E are illustration diagrams of an electronic apparatusaccording to an application example of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, as embodiments of a proximity detection device of the presentdisclosure, a liquid crystal display device with a touch sensor in whicha touch sensor function is integrally formed in a display panel will bedescribed. The description will be made in the following order.

-   -   1. Basic Configuration and Operation of Touch Detection    -   2. Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display Device    -   3. Detection Electrode of First Embodiment    -   4. Detection Electrode of Second Embodiment    -   5. Detection Electrode of Third Embodiment    -   6. Detection Electrode of Fourth Embodiment    -   7. Modification Examples and Application Examples

1. BASIC CONFIGURATION AND OPERATION OF TOUCH DETECTION

A detection electrode and a driving electrode are provided in a touchsensor. For example, while the detection electrode is provided on a sidein which a finger approaches on a panel surface side, the otherelectrode which is provided on an inner side of the panel withrespective to the detection electrode and forms an electrostaticcapacitance for detection between the detection electrode and the otherelectrode is the driving electrode.

The driving electrode may be the driving electrode dedicated to thetouch sensor. However, as a desirable thinner configuration, the drivingelectrode is described as a combined electrode which performs scanningdriving of the touch sensor and so-called VCOM driving of an imagedisplay device at the same time in the liquid crystal display device ofthe embodiment.

Accordingly, an electrode to which a common driving signal VCOM for aliquid crystal display is applied is referred to as a counter electrodein the following description. However, this “counter electrode” refersto the same electrode as the “driving electrode” for driving the touchsensor and the same reference numerals like “counter electrode 43” and“driving electrode 43” are used in FIGS. 4A to 5 and the like.

First, the basics of touch detection in the liquid crystal displaydevice of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to3C.

FIGS. 1A and 2A are equivalent circuit diagrams of a touch sensor unitand FIGS. 1B and 2B are structure diagrams (schematic cross-sectionalviews) of the touch sensor unit. Here, FIGS. 1A and 1B show a case wherea finger as an object to be detected does not approach to the sensor,and FIGS. 2A and 2B show a case where a finger approaches or is incontact with the sensor, respectively.

The touch sensor unit shown in the drawings is an electrostaticcapacitance type touch sensor and is made up of capacitative elements asshown in FIGS. 1B and 2B. Specifically, a capacitative element(electrostatic capacitance) C1 includes a dielectric body and a pair ofelectrodes arranged to face each other with the dielectric body beinginterposed therebetween, that is, the driving electrode E1 and thedetection electrode E2.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the driving electrode E1 of thecapacitative element C1 is connected to an AC signal source S whichgenerates an AC pulse signal Sg and the detection electrode E2 of thecapacitative element C1 is connected to a voltage detector DET. At thistime, the detection electrode E2 is grounded through a resistor R so asto electrically fix a DC level.

The AC pulse signal Sg having a predetermined frequency, for example,about several [kHz] to tens [kHz] is applied from the AC signal source Sto the driving electrode E1. The waveform diagram of the AC pulse signalSg is shown in FIG. 3B as an example.

Then, the output waveform (detection signal Vdet) as shown in FIG. 3A isgenerated in the detection electrode E2.

Also, the embodiment as described above is an example in which thedriving electrode E1 corresponds to the counter electrode for driving aliquid crystal (a common electrode for plural pixels facing pixelelectrodes). An AC driving which is referred to as so-called Vcomreversing driving is performed on the counter electrode for driving aliquid crystal. Therefore, in the embodiment, the common driving signalVcom for Vcom reversing driving is used as the AC pulse signal Sg todrive the driving electrode E1 for the touch sensor.

In a state shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in which a finger does not approach,the AC drive is performed on the driving electrode E1 of thecapacitative element C1 and the AC detection signal Vdet is generated inthe detection electrode E2 in accordance with the discharge or chargethereof. The detection signal will be represented as an “initialdetection signal Vdet0” at this time below.

While the detection electrode E2 side is DC-grounded, since thedetection electrode E2 side is not grounded from the viewpoint of a highfrequency, a discharging path for an AC is not present and a pulse peakvalue of the initial detection signal Vdet0 is relatively large.However, when the time elapses after the AC pulse signal Sg rises, thepulse peak value of the initial detection signal Vdet0 gradually fallsdue to a loss.

In FIG. 3C, the waveform is enlarged in accordance with the scale. Thepulse peak value of the initial detection signal Vdet0 falls from theinitial value of 2.8 [V] to 0.5 [V] by a high frequency loss as sometime elapses.

When a finger is in contact with or approaches to the detectionelectrode E2 within an effective point-blank distance from the initialstate, a circuit state is changed into an equivalent state in a casewhere a capacitative element C2 is connected to the detection electrodeE2 as shown in FIG. 2A. This is because a human body is equivalent to acapacitance of which one side is grounded from the viewpoint of a highfrequency.

In the contact state, a discharging path for the AC signal through thecapacitative elements C1 and C2 is formed. Accordingly, in accordancewith the discharge or charge of the capacitative elements C1 and C2, anAC respectively flows through the capacitative elements C1 and C2.Therefore, the initial detection signal Vdet0 is voltage-divided into avalue determined by a ratio of the capacitative elements C1 to C2 andthe pulse peak value falls.

A detection signal Vdet1 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C is a detection signalwhich is generated in the detection electrode E2 when a finger is incontact with the detection electrode E2. It is recognized that a fallingamount of the detection signal is about 0.5 [V] to 0.8 [V] from FIG. 3C.

The voltage detector DET shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B detects the fall of thedetection signal, for example, by using a threshold value Vth so as todetect contact of a finger.

2. CONFIGURATION OF LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE

The structure of the liquid crystal display device according to theembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are plan views particularly showing electrodes of theliquid crystal display device 1 and a circuit arrangement for driving ordetecting the electrodes. In addition, FIG. 4D shows a schematiccross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal display device 1. FIG.4D shows a cross-section of six pixels, for example, in a row direction(pixel display line direction).

Furthermore, FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of pixels PIX whichis formed in a matrix shape to a matrix direction in the liquid crystaldisplay device 1.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows a pixel electrode arrangement state.

As shown in FIG. 5, each pixel PIX has a thin film transistor (TFT;hereinafter, referred to as TFT 23) as a select element of the pixel, anequivalent capacitance C6 of a liquid crystal layer 6 and a retentivecapacitance (also, referred to as an additional capacitance) Cx. Theelectrode arranged in one side of the equivalent capacitance C6representing the liquid crystal layer 6 is a pixel electrode 22 dividedfor each pixel and arranged in a matrix shape, and the electrodearranged in the other side is the counter electrode 43 common to pluralpixels.

The pixel electrode 22 is connected to one of the source and the drainof the TFT 23, and a signal line SIG is connected to the other one ofthe source and the drain of the TFT 23. The signal line SIG is connectedto a signal line driving circuit (not shown) so that a video signalhaving a signal voltage is supplied to the signal line SIG from thesignal line driving circuit.

The common driving signal Vcom is provided in the counter electrode 43.The common driving signal Vcom is a signal which is obtained byreversing positive and negative potentials for each horizontal cycle(1H) with respect to the center potential.

The counter electrode 43 is a common electrode to the plural pixels PIXand the common driving signal Vcom to apply a reference voltage to thesignal voltage for the gray-scale display for each pixel is applied.

The gate of the TFT 23 is electrically shared among all pixels PIXarranged in a row direction, that is, in a horizontal direction of thedisplay screen so that a scanning line SCN is formed. The scanning lineSCN is supplied with a gate pulse output from the scanning line drivingcircuit (not shown) for turning on or off the gate of the TFT 23.Therefore, the scanning line SCN is also referred to as a gate line.

As shown in FIG. 5, the retentive capacitance Cx is connected to theequivalent capacitance C6 in parallel. The retentive capacitance Cx isprovided to prevent a write potential from decreasing by the leakagecurrent from the TFT 23 due to shortage of the storage capacity in theequivalent capacitance C6. In addition, addition of the retentivecapacitance Cx contributes to preventing flickers and improvinguniformity of the screen luminance.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of the pixel electrodes 22.

As shown in FIG. 6, plural gate lines (scanning lines SCN, refer to FIG.5) arranged in a parallel stripe shape in a row direction (x direction)intersect with the plural signal lines SIG arranged in a parallel stripeshape in a column direction (y direction). The rectangular areasurrounded by two arbitrary scanning lines SCN and two arbitrary signallines SIG defines the (sub-)pixel PIX. The pixel electrode 22 is formedin a rectangular isolation pattern slightly smaller than each pixel PIX.In this manner, the plural pixel electrodes 22 are arranged in a matrixshape in a planar shape.

The liquid crystal display device 1 in which such pixels are arranged isprovided with a substrate (hereinafter, referred to as a drivingsubstrate 2) which has the TFT 23 shown in FIG. 5 in the area not shownin the cross section as seen from the cross-sectional structure(structure of z direction) in FIG. 4D and is supplied with a drivingsignal (signal voltage) of the pixel, a counter substrate 4 which isarranged to face the driving substrate 2 and the liquid crystal layer 6which is arranged between the driving substrate 2 and the countersubstrate 4.

The liquid crystal display device 1 in the example is provided with thepixel electrode 22 and the counter electrode 43 which face each otherwith the liquid crystal layer 6 being interposed therebetween fordriving the liquid crystal display and the detection electrode 44 andthe driving electrode (=counter electrode) 43 for driving the touchsensor.

In FIG. 4D, in order to make it easy to see the cross-sectionalstructure, while the counter electrode (driving electrode) 43, the pixelelectrode 22, and the detection electrode 44 are hatched, other portions(such as a substrate, an insulation film, and a functional film) are nothatched.

As a section to realize a display function, a display unit in Claim isformed with the driving substrate 2, the liquid crystal layer 6, thecounter electrode 43 and the color filter 42.

In addition, as a section to realize a touch sensor function, aproximity operation detecting unit in Claim is formed with the countersubstrate 4 (the driving electrode 43, the detection electrode 44, andthe like), a detecting unit 8, and a detection driving scanning unit 9.

The driving substrate 2 has a TFT substrate 21 as a circuit substrate onwhich the TFT 23 of FIG. 5 is formed and the plural pixel electrodes 22which are arranged on this TFT substrate 21 in a matrix shape.

A substrate body of the TFT substrate 21 is made of glass and the like.A display driver (not shown) (signal line driving circuit, scanning linedriving circuit and the like) for driving each pixel electrode 22 isformed on the TFT substrate 21. In addition, the TFT 23 of FIG. 5 andwiring lines such as the signal line SIG and the scanning line SCN areformed on the TFT substrate 21. A detection circuit for touch detectionoperation may be formed on the TFT substrate 21.

The counter substrate 4 has a glass substrate 41, the color filter 42formed on one surface of the glass substrate 41, and the counterelectrode 43 formed on the color filter 42 (the liquid crystal layer 6side).

The color filter 42 is configured by periodically arranging three colorfilter layers having, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B)colors, and each pixel PIX (pixel electrode 22) corresponds to one ofthe three colors of R, G, and B. While a pixel corresponding to onecolor is referred to as a sub-pixel, and three sub-pixels having threecolors of R, G, and B are referred to as a pixel in some cases, thesub-pixel is also represented as a pixel PIX herein.

Moreover, a white pixel (W) is provided in some cases as well as R, G,B, to be in a state where the color filters corresponding to four colorsare arranged in the color filter 42 in this case.

The counter electrode 43 is also used as a sensor driving electrodeconfiguring a part of the touch sensor for performing the touchdetection operation and the counter electrode 43 corresponds to thedriving electrode E1 of FIGS. 1A to 2B.

The counter electrode (driving electrode) 43 is connected to the TFTsubstrate 21 by a contact conductive pillar 7. The common driving signalVcom having an AC pulse waveform is applied from the TFT substrate 21 tothe counter electrode 43 through the contact conductive pillar 7. Thecommon driving signal Vcom corresponds to the AC pulse signal Sgsupplied from a driving signal source S of FIGS. 1A to 2B.

The detection electrode 44 is formed on the other surface (displaysurface side) of the glass substrate 41 and a protection layer 45 isformed on the detection electrode 44.

The detection electrode 44 configures a part of the touch sensor andcorresponds to the detection electrode E2 in FIGS. 1A to 2B. A detectioncircuit to perform the touch detection operation, which will bedescribed later, may be formed on the glass substrate 41.

The liquid crystal layer 6 is a display function layer and modulates thelight passing through the layer in a thickness direction (a directionfacing the electrode) according to the state of the applied electricfield. The liquid crystal layer 6 may be formed using various modes ofliquid crystal materials such as TN (twisted nematic), VA (verticalalignment), and ECB (electrically controlled birefringence).

An alignment film is respectively provided between the liquid crystallayer 6 and the driving substrate 2 and between the liquid crystal layer6 and the counter substrate 4. In addition, a polarization plate isrespectively provided on the anti-display surface side (that is, backsurface side) of the driving substrate 2 and the display surface side ofthe counter substrate 4. Such an optical function layer is omitted fromFIGS. 4A to 4D.

The driving electrode 43 and the detection electrode 44 are divided in adirection intersecting with each other as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C.

FIG. 4A shows an arrangement state of the driving electrode 43, FIG. 4Bshows an arrangement state of the detection electrode 44 and FIG. 4Cshows a combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the driving electrode 43 is divided in a row orcolumn direction of the pixel arrangement, for example, in a columndirection in this example (y direction of the drawing). The divisiondirection corresponds to a scanning direction of the pixel lines in thedisplay driving, that is, a direction for sequentially activating thescanning lines SCN by the scanning line driving circuit (not shown).

For the divided driving electrode 43, a predetermined number n ofdriving electrodes 43_1, 43_2, . . . , 43 _(—) m, . . . , 43 _(—) n arearranged. Here, “m” is an integer which is equal to or larger than 2 andsmaller than “n”.

The driving electrodes 43_1 to 43 _(—) n are arranged in a band shapehaving a relatively small width and extending in the row direction (xdirection) and spaced from one another in parallel. Here, the width ofthe driving electrode 43 (size in the y direction) can be defined,irrespective of the pixel size of the liquid crystal display device, asa touch sensor added to the liquid crystal display device. The smallerthe width of the driving electrode 43 is, the higher the detectionaccuracy or the resolution of object detection is.

The n-divided driving electrodes 43_1 to 43 _(—) n are driven at thesame time in units of m (2≦m<n).

A set of simultaneously driven driving electrodes 43 is represented asan AC driving electrode unit EU. In the embodiment, the number ofdriving electrodes included in one AC driving electrode unit EU is afixed number m. Furthermore, while the combination of the drivingelectrodes is partially overlapped and changed, the AC driving electrodeunit EU is shifted stepwise in a column direction.

A direction of the shift is the y direction of FIGS. 4A to 4C and isreferred to as a scanning direction. In addition, an operation in whicha combination of the driving electrodes selected as a set of continuousdriving electrodes is shifted on one direction is referred to asscanning.

A combination of the counter electrodes selected as the AC drivingelectrode unit EU for each shift is shifted in the scanning.

At this time, in the continuous two selections performed before andafter the shift is performed once, one or more driving electrodes areoverlapped and selected. When a shift amount is represented by thenumber of driving electrodes, a range of the shift amount corresponds tothe number of driving electrodes of equal to or larger than 1 and equalto or smaller than (m−1).

The operation of AC driving with such an AC driving electrode unit EU ofthe driving electrodes set as a unit and the shift operation for the ACdriving electrode unit EU are performed by the detection drivingscanning unit 9.

The shift amount is desirably a minimum amount equivalent to one drivingelectrode since the detection accuracy and the resolution of an objectto be detected can be set to the highest. This desirable minimum shiftamount is a premise of the description below. Under this premise, theoperation of the detection driving scanning unit 9 can be considered tobe the same as “the operation of scanning in the column direction whilechanging one by one the driving electrodes 43 selected by moving thedriving signal source S which simultaneously AC-drives the m drivingelectrodes 43 in the column direction (refer to FIGS. 1A to 2B).” Anarrow drawn from the driving signal source S in FIGS. 4A and 4Cschematically indicates the scanning of the signal source.

On the other hand, the detection electrode 44 as shown in FIG. 4B isformed by conductive films divided into a predetermined number k in thex direction and arranged in a parallel stripe shape long in the ydirection which is orthogonal to the driving electrode 43. Therespective detection electrodes are denoted by 44_1 to 44 _(—) k.

The detecting unit 8 is connected to one ends of the k detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k arranged as described above. A basicdetection unit of the detecting unit 8 is the voltage detector DET as a“detection circuit” shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B.

The respective k detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k are connected tothe voltage detector DET corresponding to the detecting unit 8.Therefore, the voltage detector DET can detect the detection signal Vdet(refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C) from each detection line.

The arrangement pattern of the driving electrode 43 and the detectionelectrode 44 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C above are redundantly arranged onthe display image surface formed with the pixels PIX arranged in amatrix shape as shown in FIG. 6.

The driving electrode 43 and the detection electrode 44 or the pixelelectrode 22 is respectively a transparent electrode and made of, forexample, ITO, IZO or an organic conductive film.

3. DETECTION ELECTRODE OF FIRST EMBODIMENT

A conductive film pattern of the detection electrode 44 in the liquidcrystal display device 1 with the above configuration as the firstembodiment will be described.

First, FIG. 7A shows an example of the conductive film pattern of thedetection electrode 44. Here, certain two detection electrodes 44 _(—) qand 44 _(—) q+1 of the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k shown inFIGS. 4A to 4D are shown. For convenience of the drawing, an electrodewidth direction of the detection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 isenlarged and a longitudinal direction thereof is reduced.

In FIG. 7A, a hatched portion is a portion where the conductive film eis formed and a non-hatched portion is a portion where the conductivefilm e is not formed (hereinafter, referred to as slits SL).

As shown in the drawing, as a conductive film pattern forming thedetection electrode 44, there are an electrode pattern portion (that is,a portion which is the detection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1)which is electrically connected to the above-described detecting unit 8to practically function as an electrode and a dummy pattern portion dmpwhich does not function as an electrode and in which the conductive filme is formed.

In FIG. 7C, a portion which is one detection electrode 44 _(—) q isextracted to be shown. As shown in the drawing, the one detectionelectrode 44 _(—) q is formed as the square-shaped conductive film. Therespective detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k are formed as therespective square-shaped conductive film and the ends of the respectivedetection electrodes are connected to the voltage detector DETcorresponding to the above-described detecting unit 8.

The detection electrode 44 _(—) q has the conductive film pattern inwhich the necessary number of slits SL are formed on both side of thesquare-shaped pattern, that is, in portions actually extending in the ydirection as shown in FIG. 4B. FIG. 7B shows a portion where the slit SLis formed in a part of the square-shaped conductive film pattern in anenlarged manner.

In addition, the slit SL is also formed in the dummy pattern portion dmpprovided inside of the square shape and between adjacent square-shapedpatterns.

The reasons that the dummy pattern portion dmp is provided and the slitSL is provided in the pattern of the conductive film e which is thedetection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k and the dummy pattern portion dmpare as below.

First, the detection electrode 44 is formed as a transparent electrode.However, the detection electrode is not completely transparent. In orderto increase transmittance of light which is a display image, it isattempted to provide a portion where the conductive film e is notpresent.

On the other hand, it is not preferable to increase a resistance valueof the square-shaped pattern portion from the viewpoint of touchdetection sensitivity. That is, it is further recommended to avoidblindly providing a portion where the conductive film e is not presentin the square-shaped pattern portion from the viewpoint of touchdetection sensitivity.

In terms of taking the above problems into consideration, while thelinear conductive film e is formed in the square-shaped pattern portionnot to increase the resistance value as much as possible, anon-conductive portion may be formed. Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, thesquare-shaped pattern portion forms the slit SL without the conductivefilm e to increase the light transmittance and the linear pattern of theconductive film e is secured to maintain a low resistance value as anelectrode.

Furthermore, when only the square-shaped pattern portion shown in FIG.7C is formed, it is disadvantageous from the viewpoint ofinconspicuousness of the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k.

In other words, the differences between the detection electrodes 44_1 to44 _(—) k where the conductive films e are formed and a non-conductivefilm between each detection electrode are easily visualized andinconspicuousness of the electrodes is not maintained.

The dummy pattern portions dmp are formed inside of the square-shapedpattern and in intervals of the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k.The slits SL are formed in the dummy pattern portion dmp as in thesquare-shaped pattern to improve inconspicuousness with respect to theconductive film e (the whole forming surfaces of the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k) as a whole.

It is possible to maintain or improve the detection properties andinconspicuousness with the conductive film pattern of the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C. However, moiréreduction is realized in the embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically show an arrangement position relationshipbetween the conductive film e and the pixel electrode 22.

The conductive film e in the drawing corresponds to any of the detectionelectrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 (square-shaped pattern portion) inFIG. 7A, and the dummy pattern portion dmp. That is, a part of a regionin which the linear conductive film e divided by the slit SL is formedis shown.

Moreover, with respect to the pixel electrodes 22, the arrangement stateof each sub-pixel of R, G and B is indicated by broken lines with R, Gand B.

FIG. 8A shows a case where a pitch Pe in the linear pattern of theconductive film e divided by the slit SL is larger than an arrangementpitch Pg in one direction (x direction) of the pixel electrode 22.

For example, the pitches Pe of the linear pattern are separated fromeach other with a pitch of a natural number times as large as thearrangement pitch Pg of the pixel electrode 22 (three times in thedrawing).

In this case, the linear pattern of the conductive film e forming thedriving electrode 43 (or the dummy pattern portion dmp) and a pixelpattern interfere with each other to be shown as moiré fringes which arevisible to a human eye in some cases.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pitch Pe in the linearpattern of the conductive film e by divided the slit SL is equal to orsmaller than the pitch Pg in one direction (x direction) of the pixelelectrode 22.

The pitch Pe of the linear pattern in the conductive film e forming thedriving electrode 43 (or the dummy pattern portion dmp) is narrowed soas to be equal to or smaller than the pitch Pg of the sub-pixel andthen, the moiré fringes can be barely visible.

In this case, not only the pitch Pe of the linear pattern is narrowed tobe equal to or smaller than the pitch Pg of the sub-pixel but also thepitch of the linear pattern does not have a value obtained by dividingthe pitch Pg of the sub-pixel by a natural number such as 1/1, 1/2, 1/3. . . , which is preferable from the viewpoint of moiré reduction.

In other words, it is effective to reduce visibility of the pattern ofthe conductive film e to a human by narrowing the linear pattern pitchof the conductive film e and to disperse interference by weakening theregularity with the pixel electrode pattern in the moiré fringereduction.

When the pixels PIX with four colors of R, G, B and W are provided,luminance contrast becomes strong by the influence of the white pixelthe moiré fringes are emphasized more than the case of using threecolors of R, G and B.

The embodiment can be suitably applied even to a case of using thepixels of four colors of R, G, B and W.

FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically show the conductive film e in relation tothe pixel electrode 22 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Furthermore, an arrangement state of each sub-pixel of R, G, B and W asthe pixel electrode 22 is indicated by broken lines with R, G, B and W.

FIG. 9A shows a case where the pitch Pe in the linear pattern of theconductive film e divided by the slit SL is larger than the pitch Pg inone direction (x direction) of the pixel electrode 22.

Then, for example, the pitches Pe of the linear pattern are separatedfrom each other with a pitch of a natural number times as large as thepitch Pg of the pixel electrode 22 (three times in the drawing) so thatthe slits SL are positioned in the B pixel and W pixel.

In this case, the moiré fringes are conspicuous.

As the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, the pitch Pe in the linearpattern of the conductive film e divided by the slit SL is equal to orsmaller than the pitch Pg in one direction (x direction) of the pixelelectrodes 22.

The pitch Pe of the linear pattern preferably does not have a valueobtained by dividing the pitch Pg of the sub-pixel by a natural number.

In this manner, the moiré fringes can be not conspicuous even in theconfiguration having the pixels of four colors.

4. DETECTION ELECTRODE OF SECOND EMBODIMENT

The conductive film pattern in the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—)k as a second embodiment will be described using FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 shows a pattern of the conductive film e in the certaindetection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 of the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k as in FIG. 7A above.

The detection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 are patterned in asquare shape and the dummy pattern portion dmp is formed, which is thesame as in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, a spot-like non-conductive portion dt isformed on the conductive film e instead of the above-described slit SL.

In the example of the drawing, the spot-like non-conductive portion dtis randomly formed on the conductive film e.

In the second embodiment, the spot-like non-conductive portion dt israndomly arranged so that the conductive film pattern as the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k (and the dummy pattern portion dmp) is notlikely to be interfered with by the pixel electrode pitch (to reducelocations to interfere). Due to this, moiré fringe reduction isrealized.

Moreover, the area of the conductive film e of the square-shaped patternas the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k is increased and theresistance value is decreased to improve sensor detection propertiesmore than in the first embodiment.

In addition, the dummy pattern portion dmp is provided inside of thesquare-shaped pattern and between adjacent detection electrodes 44 torandomly provide the spot-like non-conductive portion dt in the dummypattern portion dmp as in the square-shaped pattern as the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k. For this reason, inconspicuousness of thedetection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k is maintained or improved.

Then, the area of the spot-like non-conductive portion dt, is desirablyequal to or larger than 0.0025 times a display area of the sub-pixel toobtain moiré reduction effect.

Furthermore, while it is suitable that the spot-like non-conductiveportion dt is randomly arranged, the spot-like non-conductive portion dtmay not be necessarily randomly arranged. It is sufficient to have anarrangement pattern which is not likely to be interfered with the pixelelectrode pattern even when there is regularity.

The shape of the spot-like non-conductive portion dt is not limited to asquare shape as shown in the drawing, and various shapes such as acircular shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a triangularshape, a polygonal shape or an undefined shape may be considered.

5. DETECTION ELECTRODE OF THIRD EMBODIMENT

The conductive film pattern of the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—)k as a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to12B. The conductive film pattern is shown as an example of a pattern ofa continuous bending line.

FIG. 11A shows the pattern of the conductive film e in the certaindetection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 of the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k as in FIG. 7A above.

The detection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 have a square-shapedpattern and the dummy pattern portion dmp is formed as in the aboveembodiments.

In the third embodiment, a bending linear slit SL is formed on theconductive film e and the conductive film e has a bending linear patternby the bending linear slit.

Since the conductive film e has a bending linear shape, the interferencewith the pixel electrode pattern is reduced and reduction of moiré isrealized.

Then, a resistance value is retained to be low by maintaining theconductive film e in the square-shaped pattern as the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k in an almost straight line shape so thatsensor detection properties are maintained.

Further, the dummy pattern portion dmp is provided inside of thesquare-shaped pattern and an interval portion of the detectionelectrodes and the bending linear slit SL is also formed in the dummypattern portion dmp as in the square-shaped pattern as the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k. Then, the conductive film e has thebending linear pattern so that inconspicuousness of the detectionelectrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k is facilitated.

Here, the bending linear pitch Pe of the conductive film e can beconsidered in any of examples in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

FIGS. 12A and 12B schematically show the conductive film e in relationto the pixel electrode 22 as in FIGS. 9A and 9B. For the pixel electrode22, an arrangement state of each sub-pixel of R, G, B and W is indicatedby broken lines with R, G, B and W.

FIG. 12A shows a case where the pitch Pe in the bending linear patternof the conductive film e divided by the slit SL is larger than thearrangement pitch Pg in one direction (x direction) of the pixelelectrode 22.

In the first embodiment above, when the pitch Pe in the linear patternof the conductive film e is larger than the pitch Pg of the pixel, moiréfringes are conspicuous. However, in the third embodiment, since theconductive film e has a bending linear pattern, interference with thepattern of the pixel electrode 22 is suppressed. Therefore, even when itis Pe>Pg, it is possible to obtain moiré reduction effect.

On the other hand, FIG. 12B is an example in which the Pitch Pe of thebending linear pattern of the conductive film e divided by the slit SLis equal to or smaller than the arrangement pitch Pg in one direction (xdirection) of the pixel electrode 22.

It is preferable that the pitch Pe of the bending linear pattern do nothave a value obtained by dividing the pitch Pg of the sub-pixel by anatural number.

In this manner, that moiré reduction effect can be further increased bynarrowing the pitch Pe of the bending linear pattern to be equal to orsmaller than the pitch Pg and weakening regularity with the sub-pixelpattern.

Then, FIG. 11B shows a part of the bending linear pattern of theconductive film e in an enlarged manner. However, there is anappropriate angle range for an angle θ forming a bending line.

First, with respect to moiré fringe reduction effect, a range of5°>θ>85° is suitable since interference with the pattern of the pixelelectrode 22 is easily avoided.

In addition, the conductive film pattern may have an almost straightline shape from the viewpoint of sensor detection properties. Therefore,a range of 0°>θ>45° is suitable.

Finally, it is suitable to be 5°>θ>45° for an angle range included intwo angle ranges or more.

For example, it is desirable to be θ=15°.

In addition, it is desirable that a repetition of the bending linearpattern in the y direction be arranged for each pixel so as to form abending line in a region corresponding to one pixel from the viewpointof moiré reduction effect, that is, from the meaning of reduction ininterference with the pattern of the pixel electrode 22.

For example, FIG. 11C shows a range of the pixels PIX arranged in the ydirection indicated by broken lines. However, one bending linear patternis formed in a range corresponding to one pixel PIX as shown in thedrawing.

6. DETECTION ELECTRODE OF FOURTH EMBODIMENT

The conductive film pattern of the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—)k as a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to14B. The embodiment is an example of the conductive film pattern havinga pattern of a continuous wavy line.

FIG. 13 shows a pattern of the conductive film e in the certaindetection electrodes 44 _(—) q, 44 _(—) q+1 of the detection electrodes44_1 to 44 _(—) k as in FIG. 7A above.

The detection electrodes 44 _(—) q and 44 _(—) q+1 have a square-shapedpattern and the dummy pattern portion dmp is formed in the same manner.

In the fourth embodiment, a wavy slit SL is formed on the conductivefilm e so that the conductive film e has a wavy line (serpentine linear)pattern by the wavy slit.

The conductive film e has a wavy line shape and particularly a cornerportion is removed so that interference with the pixel electrode patternis reduced to realize moiré reduction.

Then, since the conductive film e of the square-shaped pattern for thedetection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k is maintained in an almoststraight line state, a resistance value is retained to be low and sensordetection properties are maintained.

Further, the dummy pattern portion dmp is provided inside of thesquare-shaped pattern or an interval portion of the detection electrodesand the wavy slit SL is also formed in the dummy pattern portion dmp asin the square-shaped pattern for the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44_(—) k. Since the conductive film e has the wavy line pattern,inconspicuousness of the detection electrodes 44_1 to 44 _(—) k isfacilitated.

Here, the pitch Pe of the conductive film e having a wavy line shape canbe considered in any example of FIGS. 14A and 14B.

FIGS. 14A and 14B schematically show the conductive film e in relationto the pixel electrode 22 as in FIGS. 9A and 9B. For the pixel electrode22, an arrangement state of each sub-pixel of R, G, B and W is indicatedby broken lines with R, G, B and W.

FIG. 14A is a case where the pitch Pe of the bending linear pattern ofthe conductive film e divided by the slit SL is larger than thearrangement pitch Pg in one direction (x direction) of the pixelelectrode 22.

In this case, even when the pitch Pe of the linear pattern of theconductive film e is larger than the pitch Pg of the pixel as in thethird embodiment, since the conductive film e has the wavy line pattern,interference with the pattern of the pixel electrode 22 is suppressed.Due to this, when it is Pe>Pg, moiré reduction effect can be obtained.

In addition, FIG. 14B is an example in which the pitch Pe of the bendinglinear pattern of the conductive film e divided by the slit SL is equalto or smaller than the pitch Pg in one direction (x direction) of thepixel electrode 22.

The pitch Pe of the bending linear pattern preferably does not have avalue obtained by dividing the pitch Pg of the sub-pixel by a naturalnumber.

In this manner, that moiré reduction effect can be further increased bynarrowing the pitch Pe of the bending linear pattern to be equal to orsmaller than the pitch Pg and weakening regularity with the sub-pixelpattern.

7. MODIFICATION EXAMPLES AND APPLICATION EXAMPLES

While the embodiment has been described above, the above-describedliquid crystal display device is an example of a display device having aproximity detection device. In addition, the configuration of the liquidcrystal display device 1 with a touch sensor itself is also an example.

The present disclosure can be applied to various display devices such asa plasma display device or an organic EL display device as a conductivefilm pattern of a transparent electrode as well as a liquid crystaldisplay device, when a proximity detecting function like a touch sensoris provided.

In the embodiment, while the detection electrode 44 for a touch sensorfunction is exemplified, the present disclosure also can be applied asthe pattern of the driving electrode 43.

Next, the proximity detection device of the present disclosure, forexample, application examples of the display device with a touch sensorwill be described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 17E. The proximitydetection device of the present disclosure can be applied to every fieldof an electronic apparatus which has a display device displaying a videosignal input from the outside or a video signal generated inside as animage or a video such as a portable terminal device like a televisiondevice, a digital camera, a notebook type personal computer and a mobilephone or a video camera.

Application Example 1

FIG. 15A shows an external appearance of a television device to whichthe liquid crystal display device 1 with a touch sensor of theembodiment is applied. The television device has, for example, a frontpanel 511 and a video display screen unit 510 including filter glass 512and the video display screen unit 510 is configured with the liquidcrystal display device 1 according to the embodiment.

Application Example 2

FIG. 15B shows an external appearance of a notebook type personalcomputer to which the liquid crystal display device 1 of the embodimentis applied. The notebook type personal computer has, for example, a mainbody 531, a keyboard 532 for an input operation of letters or the likeand a display unit 533 to display an image and the display unit 533 isconfigured with the liquid crystal display device 1 according to theembodiment.

Application Example 3

FIG. 15C an external appearance of a video camera to which the liquidcrystal display device 1 of the embodiment is applied. The video camerahas, for example, a main body unit 541, a lens 542 for imaging an objectwhich is provided in a front side surface of the main body unit 541, astart and stop switch 543 at the time of imaging an object and a displayunit 544 and the display unit 544 is configured with the liquid crystaldisplay device 1 according to the embodiment.

Application Example 4

FIGS. 16A and 16B show an external appearance of a digital camera towhich the liquid crystal display device 1 of the embodiment is applied.FIG. 17A shows an external appearance of a front surface and FIG. 17Bshows an external appearance of a back surface of the digital camera.The digital camera has, for example, a display unit with a touch panel520, an imaging lens 521, a flash light emitting unit 523 and a shutterbutton 524 and the display unit 520 is configured with the liquidcrystal display device 1 according to the embodiment.

Application Example 5

FIGS. 17A to 17E show an external appearance of a mobile phone to whichthe liquid crystal display device 1 of the embodiment is applied. FIG.17A shows an operation surface and a display surface of the mobile phonein a state where a case is opened, FIG. 17B shows a top surface in astate where the case is closed and FIG. 17C shows a bottom surface in astate where the case is closed, respectively. FIGS. 17D and 17E areperspective diagrams from the top surface and from the bottom surface ina state where the case is closed.

For example, the mobile phone is formed by connecting an upper case 550and a lower case 551 by a connection portion (hinge portion) 556 and hasa display 552, a sub-display 553, a key operation unit 554 and a camera555. The display 552 and the sub-display 553 are configured with theliquid crystal display device 1 according to the embodiment.

Then, the present disclosure can employ the following configurations.

(a1) A proximity detection device including a display unit which has adisplay image surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes arearranged in a matrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit inwhich a transparent electrode for proximity operation detection isarranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on thedisplay image surface and a conductive film pattern forming thetransparent electrode has a pitch of a linear pattern which is equal toor smaller than an arrangement pitch in one direction of the pixelelectrodes.

(a2) The proximity detection device according to (a1), wherein theconductive film pattern has an electrode pattern portion which functionsas an electrode and a dummy pattern portion which does not function asan electrode, and the pitch of the linear pattern in the conductive filmpattern of both of the electrode pattern portion and the dummy patternportion is equal to or smaller than the arrangement pitch in the onedirection of the pixel electrodes.

(b1) A proximity detection device including a display unit which has adisplay image surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes arearranged in a matrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit inwhich a transparent electrode for proximity operation detection isarranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on thedisplay image surface and a spot-like non-conductive portion is formedin a conductive film pattern forming the transparent electrode.

(b2) The proximity detection device according to (b1),

wherein the spot-like non-conductive portion is randomly arranged in theconductive film pattern forming the transparent electrode.

(b3) The proximity detection device according to (b1) or (b2), whereinthe conductive film pattern has an electrode pattern portion whichfunctions as an electrode and a dummy pattern portion which does notfunction as an electrode and the spot-like non-conductive portion isformed in the conductive film pattern of both of the electrode patternportion and the dummy pattern portion.

(c1) A proximity detection device including a display unit which has adisplay image surface in which a plurality of pixel electrodes arearranged in a matrix shape and a proximity operation detecting unit inwhich a transparent electrode for proximity operation detection isarranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on thedisplay image surface and a conductive film pattern forming thetransparent electrode is a pattern of a continuous bending line or wavyline.

(c2) The proximity detection device according to (c1),

wherein the conductive film pattern has a pitch of the bending line orthe wavy line which is equal to or smaller than an arrangement pitch inthe one direction of the pixel electrodes.

(c3) The proximity detection device according to (c1) or (c2), whereinthe conductive film pattern has an electrode pattern portion whichfunctions as an electrode and a dummy pattern portion which does notfunction as an electrode and the conductive film pattern of both of theelectrode pattern portion and the dummy pattern portion is a pattern ofthe continuous bending line or wavy line.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A proximity detection devicecomprising: a display unit which has a display image surface in which aplurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape; and aproximity operation detecting unit in which a plurality of detectionelectrodes for proximity operation detection are arranged to form anoperation surface at a position superposed on the display image surface,wherein each of the detection electrodes has a wavy-square patternincluding: a pair of wavy extending portions that extends in a firstdirection; and a pair of connector portions that extends in a seconddirection different from the first direction, and wherein each of thedetection electrodes has a wavy dummy pattern portion that is disposedinside the wavy-square pattern and that is surrounded by the pair ofwavy extending portions and the pair of connector portions.
 2. Theproximity detection device according to claim 1, wherein each of thepair of connector portions electrically connecting an end of one of thepair of wavy extending portions to an end of the other one of pair ofwavy extending portions.
 3. The proximity detection device according toclaim 1, wherein each of the wavy extending portions has first wavyslits of wavy lines having a constant waving pattern, wherein the wavydummy pattern portion is divided by second wavy slits of wavy lineshaving the constant waving pattern.
 4. The proximity detection deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the wavy extending portions are divided bythe first wavy slits into wavy stripes which are arranged by a firstpitch, the first pitch is equal to or smaller than an arrangement pitchin the one direction of the pixel electrodes.
 5. The proximity detectiondevice according to claim 3, wherein the wavy dummy pattern portionextends in the first direction, each of the first wavy slits and each ofthe second wavy slits have a same width in the second direction, and thewavy extending portions have a same width in the second direction. 6.The proximity detection device according to claim 3, wherein each of thewavy extending portions have a width larger than a width of each of thefirst wavy slits.
 7. The proximity detection device according to claim 2wherein the wavy dummy pattern portion is further disposed betweenadjacent wavy extending portions.
 8. The proximity detection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the wavy extending portions and the wavydummy pattern portions are disposed on a same plane.
 9. A method ofdetecting proximity comprising detecting a proximity operation by usinga plurality of detection electrodes in a proximity detection device inwhich the detection electrodes for proximity operation detection are isarranged to form an operation surface at a position superposed on adisplay image surface in which a plurality of the pixel electrodes arearranged in a matrix shape, wherein each of the detection electrodes hasa wavy-square shaped pattern including: a pair of wavy extendingportions that extends in a first direction; and a pair of connectorportions that extends in a second direction different from the firstdirection, and wherein each of the detection electrodes has a wavy dummypattern portion that is disposed inside the wavy-square pattern and thatis surrounded by the pair of wavy extending portions and the pair ofconnector portions.
 10. An electronic apparatus including a proximitydetection device, the proximity detection device comprising: a displayunit which has a display image surface in which a plurality of pixelelectrodes are arranged in a matrix shape; and a proximity operationdetecting unit in which a plurality of detection electrodes forproximity operation detection are arranged to form an operation surfaceat a position superposed on the display image surface, wherein each ofthe detection electrodes has a wavy-square pattern including: a pair ofwavy extending portions that extends in a first direction; and a pair ofconnector portions that extends in a second direction different from thefirst direction, and wherein each of the detection electrodes has a wavydummy pattern portion that is disposed inside the wavy-square patternand that is surrounded by the pair of wavy extending portions and thepair of connector portions.